Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-27
LAND OF BIG GAME.

After an encampment Of the two weeks
at Bangalore, We moved to the northwest
for thirty miles, and made new camp on
q creek which emptied into the Cauvery
river, twenty miles below us. There had
been no shooting done in this neighbor-
hood for many years, for the reason that
q fever plague had carried of hundreds Of
the natives and depopulated many OF the
villages. Game had had opportunity to
increase, and We had reason to look for
ward to some exciting sport 4 native
hunter, living near Seringapatam, and
who WAS with US in charge Of the ser
wants, had been told by good authority
that lions and tigers had come into
the abandoned district until they were ~
plentiful as hares. and that We should find
. hunters paradise.
We pitched our camp on a cleared spot
On the right bank Of the creek, which had
two feet of water in il and WINS about ten
feet wide. 1t was hilly country all
about us, with the ground fairly well
timbered. Half . mile below us WAS
an abandoned native village, and many
acres of ground which had once been
titled were now grown up TO bush and
weeds We went into camp about an
hour before sundown.
The next day was ushered in with .
drizzling rain, and IL was early decided
not to have any general beat up for game,
but to overhaul arms and trappings and
make ready for next day. Soon after
breakfast l took my repeating rifle and
navy revolver. slipped some extra car
tridges into my rocket, and set out alone
to have look at the deserted village be-
low us.
Il warn you to be careful, sir" eau
toned native tiger slayer As passed
the spot on which he YVES mendinS .
saddle.
..Oh. have no fear. and the wild
beasts will be asleep this morning, any
how
Some may not, " he answered, with q
dubious shake Of the head, and he was
looking after me as l entered the bush.
had forgotten to say that during the
night We were greatly disturbed by the
noises around us. We kept several large
fires going. and while these prevented
marauding beasts from coming too near,
the glare probably attracted them TO the
locality One could distinguish the spit Of
the panther, the snarl Of the tiger and the
voice Of the lion; and added to these were
the howl Of the wolf, the chatter Of the
hyena and the yelp Of the jackal. Truly,
We had struck rich find. Driven out
Of the other districts, the beast creation
had made their way TO this, and the sound
OF hunters rifle had not been heard here
for years.
had not gone a quarter Of a mile from
camp when O large black snake ran kissing
away from my feet. and heard wild
beast Of some sort making its way in the
thicket. These were proofs that ! could
not lie over prudent, and thereafter kept
my eyes about me and my rife ready for
instant service. The village was strung
along the creek for half = mile. but the
first hut came to WAS an inclosure that
had been used for . council house. The
four walls were Of Adobe, while the roof
was thatched There were really but
three walls, one end being left open except
Q slight return Of each side wall This
open space was at least twenty feet across.
while there was room enough inside for
400 people to sit or stand. The open end
looked back in the direction had come,
and twenty feet away was the beginning
Of wall which extended for about 800
feet 1t was about four feet high, made
Of adobe, and l could not make out for
what purpose ii had been erected. II an
enemy had been expected to approach
from east or west this wall would have
been good breastwork, although its left
flank could have easily been turned.
stood for three or four minutes scan
ming the interior Of the building, and then
walked to the further end Of il. There
were q couple of whitened skulls on the
ground. and l gave one of them . kick.
lS / did so an insect or reptile of some
sort issued forth with great swiftness and
stung or bit me on the left wrist. Its
movements were so rapid that l could not
say whether it flew or sprang at me.
simply caught glimpse or two Of . dark,
hairy object, and then felt the pain, which
Nas as severe rs il l had been touched
With a red hot iron. I carried an antidote
Tor insect and reptile poisoning Near the
great doorway was a block Of wood, and
went to it, pulled of my coat, pushed up
my sleeve end examined the wound.
There was bui one puncture, but it had
drawn blood. and the flesh was rapidly
reddening. ! brought my arm up and
sucked .way at the wound for two or three
minutes, and then applied the antidote
and wrapped bandaSe about it. must
have drawn all the poison out, but never
theless l soon found myself As weak
as babe and my head seemed four
times too large for my body. Indeed,
was afraid 10 stand up for fear that
my body would not support the
head. This feeling began TO 60 away in
about fifteen minutes. and was just con-
graduating myself on my lucky escape
when turned my eyes 10 the north or to-
ward camp. The sight thrilled me like
an electric shock. Close beside the wall,
on the left hand side, was a tiger, Q rous-
ing big fellow. who had seen fifteen years
Of life. On the right hand side, and also
close TO the base of the wall. was q medium
sized male lion, and the attitude Of both
plainly showed that they had been stalk
ing me. II was a still hunt, and was
the victim. The lion had come out Of the
bush to the right, and the tiger had come
out of thicket to the left, and crossed the
creek. Neither animal could have seen
the other, and thus they were not aware
Of each others presence.
Had / remained in the building with nv
back to the door another moment one OF
the beasts would undoubtedly have crept
close enough to make spring. When
turned about and sat down on the block
Of wood the movement upset their calcu- !
lations and made them timid for the mo-
ment. Under certain circumstances any
wild beast loses heart A move which is |
a surprise and not clearly understood will !
mako ours Of them at once, and a second
move will put them to ignominious flight. |
When ! got sight Of the beasts the |
lion had half turned, as if to sneak |
away. while the tiger was crouched |
against the wall, and appeared shame |
faced Had risen up and swung my hat |
and yelled both would have bolted, but |
must confess that, taking my pain and |
the general situation into account, was |
badly ratified. couldn't think just what |
ought TO be done, and therefore did moth |
ing. This, after p moment encouraged |
The beasts, and then came such a situation |
as few men We're ever placed in had |